California lawmakers rolled out a broad package regulating social media, artificial intelligence, data centers, and related worker protections to curb perceived tech harms and push safeguards for minors and workers.

The package reflects a statewide push to regulate AI, online safety, and digital infrastructure amid evolving technology and public concern, with parallels drawn to national and international debates.

Lawmakers cite ongoing worries about social media’s impact on youth, AI-driven worker displacement, and expanding data center footprints, signaling a comprehensive regulatory approach influenced by global developments.

Governor Newsom has until the end of September to sign or veto the bills, with observers noting the move could signal positioning ahead of a potential 2028 campaign, and that AI measures have drawn interest from prominent voices in tech.

Several bills target AI use in healthcare and employment, reinforcing boundaries around AI in professional settings and patient care and restricting AI-driven decision-making or data collection that could affect individuals.

A four-year moratorium on AI-powered toy sales and manufacturing is proposed to address safety concerns for children.

Other AI provisions ban certain forms of AI surveillance that infer workers’ emotions, curb dynamic pricing by retailers, and require human instructors in California State University systems while allowing AI as a teaching aid.

Measures include banning addictive features for users under 16, tightening age verification and ad visibility for minors in chatbot contexts, and holding platforms and AI chatbots liable for harms to children.

Additional provisions prohibit social platforms from providing addictive features to minors, strengthen age-verification and ad controls in chatbot interactions, and impose liability for damages if child protections fail.

Industry groups argue some bills are blunt and could restrict access to benefits of social platforms, urging targeted, existing laws and parental controls instead.

Legislation advances protections around AI in employment and customer service, banning sole reliance on automated decision-making for discipline, requiring 60-day AI-related layoff notices, and mandating human customer service and disclosure of chatbot use.

With more than 20 AI and social media bills advancing, California’s final-week push reflects a broader strategy to tighten AI use and minor protections, as 26 related measures move toward the governor’s desk.